Barack Obama's decision to keep 10,000 troops in Afghanistan until the end of the year will not guarantee that future US administrations won't have to return there, according to a former analyst with US state department.

Afghan men remove snow from the roof of a car after avalanches in Panjshir province, February 26, 2015. More than 180 people have been killed in north Afghanistan in some of the worst avalanches there for 30 years, officials said on Thursday, with heavy snow set to last for two more days after an unusually dry winter led to fears of drought. Officials warned of an imminent humanitarian emergency in areas most severely hit by the bad weather, with snow sweeping through villages and blocking off roads.

Afghan villagers perform funeral prayers for avalanche victims in Panjshir province, February 26, 2015. More than 180 people have been killed in north Afghanistan in some of the worst avalanches there for 30 years, officials said on Thursday, with heavy snow set to last for two more days after an unusually dry winter led to fears of drought. Officials warned of an imminent humanitarian emergency in areas most severely hit by the bad weather, with snow sweeping through villages and blocking off roads.